Rotary brush



R. O. PETERSON ET AL ROTARY BRUSH Jan. 6, 1959 Filed OCT.. 26, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l "nl l l l ""ll/u,

g n L 1N VEN TOR5 Jan. 6, 1959 R. o. PETERSON ETAL ROTARY BRUSH Filedoct. 26, 195s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 shi all N s MNM W mwa fw VR 0 mmm M nite States This invention relates as indicated to rotary brushes, and more particularly to power driven rotary brushes having generally radially extending twisted tufts of brush material, ordinarily wire.

Brushes of this general character are well known in the art and are commonly employed for such purposes as cleaning welds, removing mill scale from metal articles and performing similar operations where a relatively harsh brushing action is desired. Reference may be had to Bickel et al. Patent 2,062,047 and Peterson Patent 2,480,877 for descriptions of certain preferred forms of such prior art brushes.

More recently there has arisen a demand for a twisted tuft rotary brush of relatively small diameter, e. g. about 3 inches, but it has been found most diliicult to provide a small brush of this type having proper operating characteristies. More especially, since the tufts of brush material radiate from the central support or hub, their outer ends are spaced a substantial distance apart even when their inner ends are secured to the support as close together as is feasible. In fact, utilizing the ordinary construction comprising an annular disc having a series of holes adjacent its outer periphery through which the tufts of brush material are passed and then doubled and twisted upon themselves, it has been found impossible to place such tufts suiciently close together at their bases to afford a brush face of a density more than about one-half that desired. While this problem is encountered in all rotary brushes of this general type, it is particularly acute in the case of the smaller sizes.

It is accordingly a principal object of our invention to provide a rotary brush having tufts of brush material extending generally radially therefrom affording a much more dense outer working periphery or brush face than previously obtainable.

Another object is to provide such novel rotary brush in which the brush material will be well supported and retained in desired position to ensure continued proper balance during high speed operation.

A still further object is to provide such novel brush in the form of a relatively simple and inexpensive assembly adapted to be directly mounted upon a spindle or the like.

Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative,` however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is an end view of our novel brush with an end plate partially broken away to disclose certain details of the inner assembly;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2 2 on Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view generally similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of construction which may be employed in the case of larger diameter brushes;

atent l Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of an embodiment alording a somewhat wider brush face; and

Fig. 5 is an edgewise View of an interposed spacer disc, the outer edge portion of which has been formed to undulate. Referring now more particularly to said drawing, our new brush assembly comprises two similar opposed brush elements mounted and secured together in such manner as to cooperate in forming a single brushing unit having much increased brush bristle density. Sheet metal annular discs 1 and 2 are provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged holes such as 3 and 4 through which tufts 5 and 6 of brush bristle material (ordinarily wire) are respectively passed and then doubled and twisted upon themselves to extend generally radially therefrom. Such discs are then deformed to cup shape as best shown in Fig. 2 to obtain a minimum brush diameter and a desired slant of the tufts. The circumferential spacing of the tufts is not particularly affected and such tufts are, of course, still relatively Widely spaced at their outer working ends.

In assembling our novel brush unit, one of the abovedescribed elements such as 1 is fitted over an inner tubular member 7 with the brush bristle tufts extending radially of the mid region of such member. A thin annular sheet metal disc or washer 8 having an outer diameter somewhat greater than that of the cup-shaped disc 1 is likewise fitted over tubular member 7 and the other cup-shaped brush element 2 opposed thereto. Dished face plates 9 and 10 are similarly tted over the outer end portions of tubular member 7 to embrace the inner assembly and the respective ends of tubular member '7 are thereupon upset as shown to secure the entire unit rrnly assembled.

The outer peripheral portions of face plates 9 and 10 are reeurved as at 11 and 12, together forming an annular neck or channel from which the tufts of brush bristle material protrude. The face plates will be of substantially the same diameter as the inner disc or Washer 8, and the various elements are assembled under pressure suflicient ordinarily to cause the tufts to indent the outer periphery E of the washer to form radially extending waves and give the latter a somewhat undulating (see Fig. 5) contour. As best shown in Fig. 1, the tufts of one element are interposed between and alternate with the tufts of the other element to afford a brush face of a density twice as great as would otherwise be the case. rl`he tufts of the respective elements incline slightly toward the opposite end of the tool, but such natural inclination is strictly limited by interposed washer 8.

lt will be seen that we have provided a novel brushing tool which may be of a minimum vdiameter and yet be strongly made and of high bristle density. While the invention is especially useful in such small diameter brushes, it will of course be appreciated that any desired size of brush may be assembled in a similar manner to achieve an eifective increase in brush bristle density. Furthermore, discs 1 and 2 need not necessarily be cupped as shown although this affords a convenient way of obtaining a reduced brush diameter and increased structural strength as well as causing the two sets of tufts to incline toward each other with their ends in the same general plane.

The finished unit is well balanced and ready to be mounted on a spindle or the like for high speed rotation in use. The brush material is firmly secured and supported, and the tool has a long useful life. The ease and simplicity of manufacture render the tool relatively inexpensive.

Of course, if desired, tubular member 7 may be in Y assunse.4

manydifferent` forms such as hexagonal, for example, or itmaybe internallythreaded to eliminateY the need'for a separate nut to hold the brush in operating position on a spindle. It.is.desirable that tubular member 7 t very tightly withinthe other elements to' preventrelative lrotationor else such member should'pref'erably'be of' nonround contour. Of course, in some embodiments it may be preferredeto employ a solid shaft or core instead of the tubular Vmember 7 Now referring more particularly to Fig. 3 ofthe drawing, the Vembodiment there illustrated is a form generally comparable to that previously 'described'.but suitable when brushes of larger diameters 'are desired. Two flat annular sheetmetal discs 13` and14 are mounted on a tubular hub 15"and`provided with an equal number of closely spaced circumferentially arranged openings therein through which the tuftsof brush material 16 and 17 are inserted and twisted upon themselves as previously described; Interposed between' such discs 13 and 14 is an annularrelativelythin sheet metal disc 18' likewise seated on tubular hub 15 with spacer washers 19 and 20 interposed between such thin disc and the two tutt-bearing discs 13 and 14. Sheet metal face plates 21 and 22 are then tted over the tubular hub to bear against the outer sides of discs 13 and 14 and to embrace the inner end portions of the tufts 16 and'17, such face plates being bulgedat 23 and 24 to embrace such inner end portions of the twisted tufts and then necked down at 25 to provide a constricted annular neck therebetween through which the tufts protrude generally radially. Such face plates are of substantially the same diameter as inner disc 1S. The ends of tubular hub 15 are upset at 26 and 27 to secure the entire assembly tightly together.

When thus. assembling the several components, the pressure on the twisted tufts will ordinarily be sufficient somewhat to deform the outer peripheral edge portion of disc 18 into a somewhat wavy or undulating contour, this assisting in positioning the tufts and maintaining them in properly oriented relationship during use. Disc 18 more particularly detiects the tufts in a generally radially outward direction to afford the desired dense brush face, the'tufts 16 of disc 13 alternating with the tufts 17 of disc 14;

In the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Fig. 4, a rotary twisted tuft brush having a somewhat wider brush face is provided. Three annular metal discs 28, 29 and 30 are closely fitted on tubular hub 31 with thinner annular sheet metal discs 32 and 33 interposed therebetween. Discs 28, 29 and 30 are of the same diameter and interposed discs 32 and 33 are of somewhat greater diameter, being-of substantially the same diameter as sheet metal end plates 34 and 35. Spacer washers 36, 37, 3S and 39 are interposed between such discs to space their inner peripheral portions apart where seated on hub 31 approximately the same amount that such discs are spaced apart at their outer peripheries by the thickness of the brush bristle material.

The tufts 40 of central disc 29 will extend radially and the tufts 41 and 42 of the outer discs 28 and 30 will be slanted toward one another intermediate sequential tufts 40. The outer peripheral edge portions of discs 32 and 33 may be somewhat deformed by the pressure employed in assembling the brush elements together so as to afford wavy or undulating margins more or less conforming to the tufts 40 and assisting in positioning and orienting the tufts. Since tufts 41 and 42 of the respective outer seriesare interposed between the radially extending tufts 46, they are not only deflected radially outwardly by the thin sheet metal discs-32 and 33but also they are supported against each other in pairs.

In each of the, illustrated constructions the .end plates bear against such tufts in. a manner normally tending tofslant :the latter out of a transverse` plane normal to the brush axis (i. e. rather like a cup brush) but theV interposed disc or discs which extend beyond the outer peripheries of the tuff-bearing discs deflect such tufts intothe desired slightlysla'nting but substantially'radial positions to form a circumferential brush face of maximum possible density. In the case of the Fig. 4 embodiment, of course, the tufts of the outer circumferential series are to some extent' braced against one another in the spaces intermediate the tufts'40 of the central series. The-'more dense brush face resultingfromtourne'w constructionpermits a great deal more useful work' being performed in the same period of time and' also results in longer brush life since the bristle tufts are better supported one by the'other and are notas subject to deleterious vibration andl deformationunder severe conditions of use. The outer peripheral lips of the face plates are sufficiently closely spaced apart to m'aintain'the relative positions of the tufts as above described.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change' being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent' of such be employed.

We thereforeV particularly point out and distinctly claim ask our invention:-

l. A rotary brush comprising a central tubular hub member, a thin sheet metal washer seated centrally thereon, a pair of similar cupped annular sheet metal discs 'of smaller diameter than said washer seated on said hub member respectivelyl to either side of said washer withtheir concaveV faces opposed thereto, said discs having a plurality of ho-les therethrough adjacent their outer peripheral edges with the number of such holes being the same inV each disc, a pair of similar dished annular face plates ofV substantially the same diameter as said washer seatedon-said'hub member and respectively embracing saidcupped-metal discs, the outer peripheral edge portions of said face plates being recurved to define therebetween` a radially outwardly opening annular channel centrally divided by said'washer, and twisted tufts of wire brush bristle material inserted through said holes and doubled and twisted on themselves, said tufts extending generally radially outwardly through such annular channel with the tufts thus secured to each disc slightly inclined toward but braced aga-inst said interposed washer to position their outer' ends in the same generall radial plane, the tufts of one disc alternating with the tufts of the other disc and the ends of said hub memberV being upset to secure the assembly'rmly together.

2L A rotary brush comprising a central hub member, a thin sheet metal washer seated centrally thereon, a pair ofl similar' cupped annular sheetA metal discs of smaller diameter than said washer seated on said hub member respectively to either side of'said washer with their concave faces opposed thereto, said discs having a plurality of holes therethrough adjacent their outer'peripheral edges with the number of such holes being the same in eachdisc, a pair of similar dished annular face plates of substantially the same diameter as said washer seated on said hub memberV and respectively embracing said cupped metal discs, means securingsaid plates in position firmly holding the assembly together, the outer peripheral edge-portions of said face plates being recurved to define therebetweena radially outwardly opening annular channel centrally divided by said washer, and twisted tufts of wire brush bristle material inserted through said holes and doubled and twisted on themsel-ves, said tufts extending generally radially outwardly through such annular channel with the tufts thus secured to each disc slightly inclined toward but braced against said interposed washer to position their outer ends in the same general radial plane, the tufts of one disc alternating with the tufts of the other disc.

3. A rotary brush comprising a central hub member, a washer seated centrally thereon, a pair of similar cupped annulardiscs of smaller diameter than said washer'seatcd on said Lhub member respectively to either side of said washer with their concave faces opposed thereto, a plurality of individual twisted tufts of brush bristle material secured to the outer edge portions of said discs but bearing against said washer to cause them to extend generally radially, the ends of said tufts lying in the same general radial plane with tufts secured to one disc alternating with tufts secured to the other disc to form a relatively dense brush face, a pair of similar dished annular face plates of greater diameter than said discs seated on said hub member and respectively enclosing said discs, the outer peripheral edge portions of said dished face plates engaging and supporting said tufts extending therebetween, and means retaining said elements in closely assembled condition.

4. A rotary brush comprising a pair of similar cupped discs having tufts of brush material secured to their respective outer peripheral edge portions and extending generally radially outwardly therefrom, a thin spacer element interposed between and separating the radially inner portions of the tufts secured to one disc from the tufts secured to the other disc, the concave faces of said discs being opposed to said spacer element, end members engaging said tufts in a region radially outwardly from such peripheral edge portions of said discs to which they are secured firmly to support said tufts against said spacer element with the outer ends of said tufts lying in the same general radial plane, the tufts secured to one disc alternating with tufts secured to the other disc to form a relatively dense brush face, and means securing such assembly together as a unit.

5. A rotary brush comprising a pair of similar cupped discs having tufts of brush material secured to their respective outer peripheral edge portions and extending generally radially outwardly therefrom, such tufts being thus secured to said discs at closely spaced intervals to ensure as dense a brush face as possible in view of the radiating disposition of such tufts, a thin spacer element interposed between and separating the radially inner portions of the tufts secured to one disc from the tufts secured to the other disc, the concave faces of said discs being opposed to said spacer element, end members engaging said tufts in a region radially outwardly from such peripheral edge portions of said discs to which they are secured firmly to support said tufts against said spacer element with the outer ends of said tufts lying in the same general radial plane, the tufts secured to one disc alternating with tufts secured to the other disc to form a relatively dense brush face, and means securing such Iassembly together as a unit.

6. A rotary brush comprising a pair of closely spaced axially aligned similar rotary brush elements having a plurality of tufts extending generally radially of the axis of rotation therefrom but 'bent in a manner to bring the outer end portions of said tufts of both elements into the same general radial plane, the tufts of one element alternating with the tufts of the other element so that their outer ends thus alternate circumferentially to form the brush face, a spacer element interposed between and separating the inner portions of the tufts of one brush element fro-m the tufts of the other brush 'element to limit such bending, end members engaging said tufts firmly to support the latter against said spacer element, and means securing such assembly together as a unit.

7. A rotary brush assembly comprising a pair of aligned closely spaced cupped discs having tufts of brush material secured to their respective outer peripheral edge portions and extending generally radially outwardly therefrom, the concave faces of said discs being turned toward each other, such tufts being thus secured to said discs at closely spaced intervals to ensure as dense a brush face as possible in view of the radiating disposition of such tufts, means supporting such tufts with their outer ends in the same general radial plane, the tufts of one disc alternating with the tufts of the other disc, and means securing such assembly together as a unit.

8. The method of producing a rotary brush having radiating bristle material forming a dense brush face which comprises securing an equal number o-f closely spaced twisted tufts of wire bristles to the outer edge portions of each of a pair of sheet metal discs, thereafter cupping such discs so that such tufts tend to extend somewhat axially thereof, assembling such discs together with their concave faces opposed to an interposed thin sheet metal washer effective to deflect such tufts more radially outwardly with their outer ends lying in the same general radial plane, tufts of each disc alternating with those of the other, and securing dished end plates to such assembly with their outer peripheral edge portions engaging such tufts and supporting them against such washer.

9. A rotary brush assembly comprising a pair of closely spaced axially aligned at discs mounted for rotation together, said discs being of the same diameter and having an equal number of twisted tufts of brush material secured in circumferentially disposed holes therein and extending radially therefrom, end members mounted at the respective ends of the assembly and engaging and supporting said tufts adapted to urge them to incline toward the other end of the brush, and a thin disc of greater diameter than said first-named discs interposed between the latter effective to deflect the outer end portions of said tufts into substantially the same radial plane, the tufts of one said disc alternating with the tufts of the other said disc.

10. A brush in accordance with claim 9, wherein the outer peripheral edge of said interposed disc undulates to conform generally to the tufts engaged thereby.

11. A rotary brush comprising three closely spaced axially aligned flat discs mounted for rotation together, said discs being of the same diameter and having an equal number of twisted tufts of brush material secured thereto and extending radially therefrom, end members mounted at the respective ends of the assembly and engaging and supporting said tufts of the two outermost said discs and adapted to urge said tufts to incline toward the other end of the brush, and thin discs of greater diameter than said three first-named discs interposed between the latter effective to deflect the tufts of said outermost discs in generally radial directions with tufts of said outermost discs extending side-by-side in pairs in theintervals between successive tufts of the central said disc.

12. A brush in accordance with claim 11, wherein the outer peripheral edges of said interposed discs undulate to conform generally to the tufts engaged thereby.

13. A rotary brush assembly comprising a plurality of axially aligned rotary brush elements having brush material tufts extending generally radially of the axis of rotation therefrom, means operative to deflect such brush material of adjacent brush elements toward each other and redellecting means interposed between said brush elements operative to redeflect the radially outer portions of such brush material only sufliciently that the radially outer portions of Said brush material of said adjacent brush elements are caused to be in substantially the same radial plane, the tufts of one said element alternating with the tufts of the other said element circumferentially of the brush face.

14. The brush assembly of claim 13, wherein said redeecting means is a disc having radially extending waves conforming to said alternating tufts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 597,521 Frossard Jan. 18, 1898 677,502 Farnham July 2, 1901 1,339,894 Johnson May 1l, 1920 1,524,640 Nielsen Jan. 27, 1925 2,534,891 Wilhide Dec. 19, 1950 

